Psalm 35:15
New International Version
But when I stumbled, they gathered in glee; assailants gathered against me without my knowledge. They slandered me without ceasing.

New Living Translation
But they are glad now that I am in trouble; they gleefully join together against me. I am attacked by people I don’t even know; they slander me constantly.

English Standard Version
But at my stumbling they rejoiced and gathered; they gathered together against me; wretches whom I did not know tore at me without ceasing;

Berean Standard Bible
But when I stumbled, they assembled in glee; they gathered together against me. Assailants I did not know slandered me without ceasing.

King James Bible
But in mine adversity they rejoiced, and gathered themselves together: yea, the abjects gathered themselves together against me, and I knew it not; they did tear me, and ceased not:

New King James Version
But in my adversity they rejoiced And gathered together; Attackers gathered against me, And I did not know it; They tore at me and did not cease;

New American Standard Bible
But at my stumbling they rejoiced and gathered themselves together; The afflicted people whom I did not know gathered together against me, They slandered me without ceasing.

NASB 1995
But at my stumbling they rejoiced and gathered themselves together; The smiters whom I did not know gathered together against me, They slandered me without ceasing.

NASB 1977
But at my stumbling they rejoiced, and gathered themselves together; The smiters whom I did not know gathered together against me, They slandered me without ceasing.

Legacy Standard Bible
But at my stumbling they were glad and gathered themselves together; The smiters whom I did not know gathered together against me, They tore at me and never were silent.

Amplified Bible
But in my stumbling they rejoiced and gathered together [against me]; The slanderers whom I did not know gathered against me; They slandered and reviled me without ceasing.

Christian Standard Bible
But when I stumbled, they gathered in glee; they gathered against me. Assailants I did not know tore at me and did not stop.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
But when I stumbled, they gathered in glee; they gathered against me. Assailants I did not know tore at me and did not stop.

American Standard Version
But in mine adversity they rejoiced, and gathered themselves together: The abjects gathered themselves together against me, and I knew it not; They did tear me, and ceased not:

Contemporary English Version
I have stumbled, and worthless liars I don't even know surround me and sneer.

English Revised Version
But when I halted they rejoiced, and gathered themselves together: the abjects gathered themselves together against me, and I knew it not; they did tear me, and ceased not:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Yet, when I stumbled, they rejoiced and gathered together. They gathered together against me. Unknown attackers tore me apart without stopping.

Good News Translation
But when I was in trouble, they were all glad and gathered around to make fun of me; strangers beat me and kept striking me.

International Standard Version
But when I stumbled, they rejoiced and gathered together. They gathered together against me— attackers whom I did not know. They tore me apart and would not stop.

Majority Standard Bible
But when I stumbled, they assembled in glee; they gathered together against me. Assailants I did not know slandered me without ceasing.

NET Bible
But when I stumbled, they rejoiced and gathered together; they gathered together to ambush me. They tore at me without stopping to rest.

New Heart English Bible
But in my adversity, they rejoiced, and gathered themselves together. The attackers gathered themselves together against me, and I did not know it. They tore at me, and did not cease.

Webster's Bible Translation
But in my adversity they rejoiced, and assembled themselves: yes, the abjects assembled themselves against me, and I knew it not; they did tear me, and ceased not:

World English Bible
But in my adversity, they rejoiced, and gathered themselves together. The attackers gathered themselves together against me, and I didn’t know it. They tore at me, and didn’t cease.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And they have rejoiced in my halting, "" And have been gathered together, "" The strikers were gathered against me, "" And I have not known, "" They have torn, and they have not ceased;

Young's Literal Translation
And -- in my halting they have rejoiced, And have been gathered together, Gathered against me were the smiters, And I have not known, They have rent, and they have not ceased;

Smith's Literal Translation
And in my halting they rejoiced, and they were gathered together: they smiting were gathered together against me, and I knew not; they rent asunder and ceased not:
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But they rejoiced against me, and came together : scourges were gathered together upon me, and I knew not.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And they have been joyful against me, and they joined together. Scourges have been gathered over me, and I was ignorant of it.

New American Bible
Yet when I stumbled they gathered with glee, gathered against me and I did not know it. They slandered me without ceasing;

New Revised Standard Version
But at my stumbling they gathered in glee, they gathered together against me; ruffians whom I did not know tore at me without ceasing;
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
During my misery they gathered together and rejoiced; yea, they gathered together against me for a long time, and I knew it not;

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
In my suffering they gathered and rejoiced over me, and they had gathered against me for a long time and I did not know it.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
But when I halt they rejoice, and gather themselves together; The abjects gather themselves together against me, and those whom I know not; They tear me, and cease not;

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Yet they rejoiced against me, and plagues were plentifully brought against me, and I knew it not: they were scattered, but repented not.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Contend with My Opponents
14I paced about as for my friend or brother; I was bowed down with grief, like one mourning for his mother. 15But when I stumbled, they assembled in glee; they gathered together against me. Assailants I did not know slandered me without ceasing. 16Like godless jesters at a feast, they gnashed their teeth at me.…

Cross References
Matthew 5:44
But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

Luke 6:27-28
But to those of you who will listen, I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, / bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.

Romans 12:14
Bless those who persecute you. Bless and do not curse.

1 Peter 3:9
Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.

Matthew 27:39-44
And those who passed by heaped abuse on Him, shaking their heads / and saying, “You who are going to destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save Yourself! If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross!” / In the same way, the chief priests, scribes, and elders mocked Him, saying, ...

Mark 15:29-32
And those who passed by heaped abuse on Him, shaking their heads and saying, “Aha! You who are going to destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, / come down from the cross and save Yourself!” / In the same way, the chief priests and scribes mocked Him among themselves, saying, “He saved others, but He cannot save Himself! ...

John 15:18-25
If the world hates you, understand that it hated Me first. / If you were of the world, it would love you as its own. Instead, the world hates you, because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. / Remember the word that I spoke to you: ‘No servant is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will persecute you as well; if they kept My word, they will keep yours as well. ...

Acts 7:54-60
On hearing this, the members of the Sanhedrin were enraged, and they gnashed their teeth at him. / But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked intently into heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. / “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” ...

2 Timothy 4:14-16
Alexander the coppersmith did great harm to me. The Lord will repay him according to his deeds. / You too should beware of him, for he has vigorously opposed our message. / At my first defense, no one stood with me, but everyone deserted me. May it not be charged against them.

1 Corinthians 4:12-13
We work hard with our own hands. When we are vilified, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; / when we are slandered, we answer gently. Up to this moment we have become the scum of the earth, the refuse of the world.

Job 16:10
They open their mouths against me and strike my cheeks with contempt; they join together against me.

Job 30:1-10
“But now they mock me, men younger than I am, whose fathers I would have refused to put with my sheep dogs. / What use to me was the strength of their hands, since their vigor had left them? / Gaunt from poverty and hunger, they gnawed the dry land, and the desolate wasteland by night. ...

Lamentations 3:14
I am a laughingstock to all my people; they mock me in song all day long.

Jeremiah 18:18
Then some said, “Come, let us make plans against Jeremiah, for the law will never be lost to the priest, nor counsel to the wise, nor an oracle to the prophet. Come, let us denounce him and pay no heed to any of his words.”

Micah 7:6
For a son dishonors his father, a daughter rises against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. A man’s enemies are the members of his own household.


Treasury of Scripture

But in my adversity they rejoiced, and gathered themselves together: yes, the attackers gathered themselves together against me, and I knew it not; they did tear me, and ceased not:

in mine

Psalm 35:25,26
Let them not say in their hearts, Ah, so would we have it: let them not say, We have swallowed him up…

Psalm 41:8
An evil disease, say they, cleaveth fast unto him: and now that he lieth he shall rise up no more.

Psalm 71:10,11
For mine enemies speak against me; and they that lay wait for my soul take counsel together, …

adversity [heb.

Psalm 38:17
For I am ready to halt, and my sorrow is continually before me.

Jeremiah 20:10
For I heard the defaming of many, fear on every side. Report, say they, and we will report it. All my familiars watched for my halting, saying, Peradventure he will be enticed, and we shall prevail against him, and we shall take our revenge on him.

1 Corinthians 13:6
Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;

the objects

Psalm 22:16
For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.

Psalm 69:12
They that sit in the gate speak against me; and I was the song of the drunkards.

Job 30:1-12
But now they that are younger than I have me in derision, whose fathers I would have disdained to have set with the dogs of my flock…

I knew

Psalm 35:8
Let destruction come upon him at unawares; and let his net that he hath hid catch himself: into that very destruction let him fall.

they

Psalm 7:2
Lest he tear my soul like a lion, rending it in pieces, while there is none to deliver.

Psalm 57:4
My soul is among lions: and I lie even among them that are set on fire, even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword.

Job 16:9
He teareth me in his wrath, who hateth me: he gnasheth upon me with his teeth; mine enemy sharpeneth his eyes upon me.

Jump to Previous
Adversity Assembled Attackers Cease Ceased Ceasing Cripples End Gather Gathered Halt Low Persons Pleasure Rejoice Rejoiced Slandered Smiters Tear Themselves Together Tore Trouble Wounding
Jump to Next
Adversity Assembled Attackers Cease Ceased Ceasing Cripples End Gather Gathered Halt Low Persons Pleasure Rejoice Rejoiced Slandered Smiters Tear Themselves Together Tore Trouble Wounding
Psalm 35
1. David prays for his own safety, and his enemies' confusion
11. He complains of their wrongful dealing
22. Thereby he incites God against them














But when I stumbled
The phrase "But when I stumbled" suggests a moment of vulnerability or weakness. In the Hebrew text, the word for "stumbled" can be understood as a faltering or slipping, often used metaphorically to describe a moral or spiritual failing. This imagery is powerful, as it reflects the human condition of imperfection and the times when one might fall short of God's standards. Historically, this can be seen as a moment when David, the psalmist, faced personal trials or failures, reminding us that even the most faithful can experience moments of weakness.

they gathered in glee
The phrase "they gathered in glee" indicates a malicious joy taken by others in the psalmist's misfortune. The Hebrew root for "glee" conveys a sense of mocking or derisive joy. This reflects the reality of human nature where some may take pleasure in the downfall of others. In a historical context, David often faced opposition and betrayal, even from those he considered allies. This serves as a reminder of the spiritual warfare believers face, where adversaries, both seen and unseen, may rejoice in our struggles.

they gathered against me
The repetition of "they gathered" emphasizes the collective nature of the opposition. This gathering is not for support but for confrontation and attack. The historical context of David's life, with numerous enemies and conspirators, illustrates the reality of facing organized opposition. Spiritually, this can be seen as a representation of the forces of evil that conspire against the faithful, highlighting the need for divine protection and strength.

Assailants I did not know
"Assailants I did not know" speaks to the unexpected nature of the attack. The Hebrew term for "assailants" can also mean strangers or foreigners, indicating those who are not familiar or previously known to the psalmist. This element of surprise and betrayal is a common theme in David's life, where he often faced threats from unexpected sources. It serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of spiritual battles and the importance of vigilance and reliance on God.

tore at me without ceasing
The phrase "tore at me without ceasing" conveys relentless aggression. The imagery of tearing suggests a violent and destructive attack, akin to a wild animal tearing at its prey. In the Hebrew context, this relentless pursuit is indicative of the intensity of the opposition faced by the psalmist. Historically, David's life was marked by continuous challenges and adversaries. This phrase underscores the persistent nature of spiritual warfare and the need for perseverance and faith in God's deliverance.

(15) In mine adversity.--Better, at my fall.

The abjects . . .--The Hebrew word occurs only here. It is derived from a root meaning to smite, but its form is perplexing. The ancient versions all give it an active sense. LXX. and Vulg. "whips"; Symmachus, "smiters"; Chaldee, "the wicked who smite me with their words," probably a correct paraphrase. The passive, "these smitten," or "objects," is due to R. Kimchi.

And I knew it not--i.e., either (1) "unawares," as in Psalm 35:8; (2) "for what reason I knew not"; (3) "whom I knew not"; (4) "and I was innocent." Of these possible explanations (2) is to be preferred.

Verse 15. - But in mine adversity they rejoiced, and gathered themselves together; rather, in my fall, or in my halting; "when I halted" (Revised Version). "The word implies a sudden slip and overthrow," such as is represented in 1 Samuel 18:8-29. Yea, the abjects gathered themselves together against me. Compare the case of Job (Job 30:1-14). It is a matter of common experience that when men fall from a high position into misfortune, the base vulgar crowd always turns against them with scoffs and jeers and every sort of contumely. And I knew it not; rather, and I knew them not; men, i.e., of so low a condition, that I had no acquaintance with them (see the margin of the Revised Version). They did tear me, and ceased not (comp. Job 16:9).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
But when I stumbled,
וּבְצַלְעִי֮ (ū·ḇə·ṣal·‘î)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 6761: Limping, stumbling

they assembled
וְֽנֶאֱ֫סָ֥פוּ (wə·ne·’ĕ·sā·p̄ū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 622: To gather for, any purpose, to receive, take away, remove

in glee;
שָׂמְח֪וּ (śā·mə·ḥū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 8055: To brighten up, be, blithe, gleesome

they gathered together
נֶאֶסְפ֬וּ (ne·’es·p̄ū)
Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 622: To gather for, any purpose, to receive, take away, remove

against me.
עָלַ֣י (‘ā·lay)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

Assailants
נֵ֭כִים (nê·ḵîm)
Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 5222: A smiter, traducer

I did not
וְלֹ֣א (wə·lō)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

know
יָדַ֑עְתִּי (yā·ḏa‘·tî)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 3045: To know

slandered me
קָֽרְע֥וּ (qā·rə·‘ū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 7167: To rend

without
וְלֹא־ (wə·lō-)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

ceasing.
דָֽמּוּ׃ (ḏām·mū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 1826: To be dumb, to be astonished, to stop, to perish


Links
Psalm 35:15 NIV
Psalm 35:15 NLT
Psalm 35:15 ESV
Psalm 35:15 NASB
Psalm 35:15 KJV

Psalm 35:15 BibleApps.com
Psalm 35:15 Biblia Paralela
Psalm 35:15 Chinese Bible
Psalm 35:15 French Bible
Psalm 35:15 Catholic Bible

OT Poetry: Psalm 35:15 But in my adversity they rejoiced (Psalm Ps Psa.)
Psalm 35:14
Top of Page
Top of Page